Buffing mechanism



April 13, 1937. E. DENTLER 2,076,769

BUFFING MECHANISM Filled NOV. 29, 1935 2 SheelbS--Shee l Fig .e

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ry/4,157 @Lb/zig@ -April 13, 1937. A. E. DENTLER BUFFING MECHANISM FiledNov. 29, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 13, 1937 BUFFING MECHANISMArnold E. Dentler, Hinsdale, lll., assignor to W. tion of Delaware H.Miner, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corpora- Appucauon Ndvember 29, 1935,serial No. 52,215

1l Claims.

'I'his invention relates to improvements in builing mechanisms.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application,Serial Number 42,729,

filed September 30, 1935.

An object of the invention is to provide a buiiing mechanism havingpreliminary free spring action to absorb the lighter shocks, followed byrelatively high frictional resistance to take care of the heaviershocks.

Another object of the invention is to provide a friction buffer havingpreliminary free spring action and limited free spring' capacitycombined with means for producing high frictional resistance to absorbthe heavier shocks, wherein the high frictional resistance .is producedby spring resisted wedge friction means cooperating with a frictionshell or casing, wherein the preliminary free spring action is producedby the 2 spring resistance means only of the friction mechanism by theaction of the pressure transmitting means cooperating with part only ofthe spring resistance, and wherein the free spring capacity is limitedby bringing the pressure transgg, mitting means into direct actuatingrelation with the friction shock absorbing means.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from thedescription and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming a part of this speciication, Figure 1 is afragmentary, vertical, longitudinal sectional view of the end platformof a railway car, illustrating my improvements in builing mechanisms inconnection therewith. 35 Figure 2 is a longitudinal, sectional viewthrough the builing mechanism of Figure l, said section being taken ontwo intersecting planes at an angle to each other and correspondingsubstantially to the angular line 2 2 of Figure 3. Fig- 40 ure 9 is arear elevational view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2, said viewbeing on the line 3 3 of Figure 2. Figures 4, 5, and 6 are verticalsectional views, corresponding respectively to the lines 4 4, 5 5, and 66 of Figure 2.

45 Figure '7 is a front, elevational view of the mechanism shown inFigure 2. Figure 8 is a broken, side elevational view of the mechanismshown in Figure 7, corresponding substantially to the line 9 8 of saidgure. Figure 9 is a horizontal, sec- 50 tional view, correspondingsubstantially to the line 9 9 of Figure 8. Figure 10 is a view similarto Figure 2, illustrating another embodiment of the invention, thesection in Figure 10 corresponding substantially to the line Ill-i0 ofFig- 5" ure 11. Figure l1 is a vertical, sectional view,

corresponding substantially to the line lI-II ol' Figure 10. In saiddrawings, I0 indicates a portion of the underframing of a. passenger carend platform, having a pocket I I adapted to receive the bumngmechanism, which is indicated by l2. The bui!- ing mechanism i2 isactuated by the usual longitudinally slidable center stem I2, which isguided in suitable openings of the underframe structure and cooperateswith the usual movable end platform member I4. As is well understood bythose skilled in this art, the end platform A member i4 is movedinwardly upon receiving buiiing shocks, thereby forcing the stem I3inwardly also, and compressing the bumng mech` 15 anism I2 against therear wall of the pocket Il.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigures l to 9 inclusive, my improved bufng mechanism proper comprisesbroadly a housing or friction casing A; a wedge B; three friction shoesC, C, and C; a pressure transmitting member D; a. spring abutment E;spring resistance means F; and a retaining member G for holding theparts assem- 1 bled.

The casing A isin the form of a cylinder of substantially hexagonaleros-section, as clearly shown in Figures 3 to 6 inclusive. The frontend of the casing A, or the left hand end, as viewed in Figure 2, hasthe walls thereof thickened, as indicated at 20, said thickened wallsections being interiorly screw threaded. as indieatedat 2l,

to detachably and adjustably receive the retainhaving a reduced stemportion which extends through the opening 29 of the rear wall 22 of thecasing A and projects beyond the rear end of said casing. The wedge-block B is provided with three wedge faces 26-26-26, which cooperatewith the friction shoes C, C, and C. 'l'.'he outerv end of the stem 25of the'wedge is adapted to bear on the vertical rear wall of the pocketll of the underframing l0 of the car. I'he reduced stem 25 of the wedgeB provides a stop shoulder 21 at the inner end thereof, which issubstantially continuous around the wedge and adapted to engage the rearwall 22 of the casing A to limit to said casing.

'I'he friction shoes C, which are three in number, have V-shapedexterior friction surfaces 23, which cooperate with the frictionsurfaces 24 of the casing. Each shoe is laterally, inwardly enlarged, asindicated at 23, said enlarged portion y being provided with a wedgeface 3|). whichcooperates with the corresponding wedge face 23 of theWedge block B. 'Ihe enlarged portions of the friction shoes presentspring abutment shoulders 3I-3l-3i, which are adapted to cooperate withone ofthe members of the spring resistance F.

'I'he pressure transmitting member D is in the form of a thimble havingan annularfstop flange 32 at the inner end thereof, which cooperateswith the retaining member G, as hereinafter pointed out. At the outerend, the thimble of the pressure transmitting member D is provided witha platelike follower section 33 which is iixed to the closed end of thethimble -by a dovetail joint 3l and is further welded to said thimble,as indicated at 35. The follower plate 33 of the pressuretransmittingmember is adapted to be. engaged by the sliding stem I3 of the buiiingmechanism during the operation oi'y the device.

'I'he spring abutment E is in the form of a substantially cylindricalsleeve having an inturned flange atthe right hand end, as viewed inFigure 2, said flange forming an end wall 33, provided with a centralopening 31. The wall 33 of said sleeve forms an abutment for the outercoil of the spring resistance F. As most clearly shown in Figure 2, thespring abutment E is held against outward movement by the retainingmember G on which it is seated.

The spring resistance F comprises an inner,

relatively light vcoil 33 and a heavier outer coilv vof the pressuretransmitting member D. The

opposite ends of the coil 33 bearon the front wall of the thimble of themember D and on the shoulders 3I-3I3| of the friction shoes C, C, and C.

I The coil 39 of the rspring resistance F has its opposite ends bearingrespectively on the friction shoes C, C, and C and the ange 33 of thespring abutment sleeve E. 'I'he parts are preferably so proportionedthat in assembled relation, the spring 39 is held under initialcompression be, tween the shoes C, C, and C and the spring abutment E,and that the spring 33 is held under initial compression between saidshoes and the pressure transmitting member D.

'I'he retaining means G is in the form of a ring which surrounds thethimble portion'of the pressure transmitting member D and has exteriorscrew threads 43,' which are engaged with the threads 2| of thethickened wall section 23 of the casing A. The retaining ring G hasshouldered engagement with the flange 32 of the pressure transmittingelement D, thereby limitingw outward movement of the wedge outwardlywith respect the pressure transmitting member D will engage the frontend of the -casing A when the rear end of the thimble section of thepressure transmitting member comes into engagement with the flange 33 ofthe spring abutment E.

In assembling the mechanism, the parts are inserted through the openleft hand end of the casing, as viewed in Figure 2, while the screw`ring G is detached from said casing. I'he wedge B, the three frictionshoes C, C, and C, together with the springs 33 and 33 and the abutmentsleeve E are first inserted through the left hand end of the casing. Thepressure transmitting member is then telescoped over the outer end ofthe coil spring 33 and the screw ring threaded into the opening of thecasing A and adjusted to the proper position'to hold the parts assembledand provide the required overall length of the gear. The platelikefollower section 33 of the pressure transmitting member D is thensecuredto the thimble by engaging the cooperating parts of the dovetail Joint34 with eachother and welding the plate 33 to the thimble, as indicatedat 33 in Figures 8 and 9. The parts ofthe gear may also be assembled byvfirst placing the wedge B, the friction shoes C, C. and C, the springs33 and 33,'and the sleeve E within the casing Av and then applying thepressure transmitting member D with the "screw ring G assembled` inFigures i to 9 inclusive is as follows: Upon inward movement of thebuiiing stem I3, the pressure transmitting member D is forced inwardlyof the casing A while the wedge is held against rearwardl movement byvengagement of the vertical rear wail of the pocket Il of the underframestructure I3. The spring 33 will thus alonebe compressed between thepressure transmitting member and the friction shoes, the friction shoesat this time remaining stationary due to the high frictional resistanceexisting between the friction surfaces thereof and the casing. Thecompression of the spring 33 continues until the pressure transmittingmember D has been moved inwardly a sufiicientdistance to engage theplate section 33 thereof with the corresponding end portion of thecasingA, whereupon the casing will beforced rearwardly, thereby causingthe wedge to move inwardly of the shell, wedging the friction shoesapart and effecting longitudinal movement of said shoes with respect tothe friction surfaces of the casing. The inward movement of the frictionsystem comprising the friction shoes C, C, and C and the wedge D isresisted by both the springs 33 and 33 of the spring resistance, therebyproviding high shock absorbing capacity. As will be evident duringthepreliminary action of the mechanism, the spring 33 only iscompressed, thereby providing easy cushioning action. The free springcapacity of the spring 33 is limited when the follower section 33 of thepressure transmitting member D engages the casing A, and

during the remainder of the operation ofthe device combined spring andfrictional resistance is provided.

Referring nextto the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figuresl0 and 11, my irnproved bufnng mechanism -proper comprises broadly ahousing or casing H; a wedge J; lthree friction shoes K. K. and K; apressure transmitting member M; a sectional spring abutment N;

lo wall |22 having a central opening |22 through which the reduced endportion |26 of the wedge J is adapted to extend. At the other end, thecasing is interiorly screw threaded, as indicated at |20, to receive thethreads |2| of the retaining member l5 S, which is in the form of aring. The shoes K,

K, and K, which are substantially the same as the shoes C, C, and C,hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1 to 9, inclusive,have frictional engagement with the friction surfaces 20 |24 of thecasing and have `wedge faces on their inner sides which have wedgingengagementwith the wedge faces |30|2|i|30 of the wedge J. The reducedsection |25 of the wedge, J provides a stop shoulder |21 which engagesthe wall "5 |22 of the casing H and limits outward movement of thewedge. The friction shoes K, K, and K have shoulders I3|-|3|-|3|, whichcorrespond to the shoulders 3|-,-3I-3l, hereinbefore described, andserve as abutment means for the cor,-

30 responding end of the inner coil of the spring resistance R. Thespring resistance R, which comprises a relatively light inner coil |38and a heavier outer coil |39, corresponds to the spring resistance F,hereinbefore described, and has the 35 outer coil thereof bearingrespectively on the shoes K, K, and K and the sectional abutment memberN. The inner coil |38 of the spring resistance R has its opposite endsbearing von the shoulders |3|-I3|-|3| of the friction shoes and thepressure transmitting member M. The pressure transmitting member M is ofsimilar design to the pressure transmitting member D, hereinbeforedescribed, and comprises a thimble portion to which the platelike member|33 is welded. The

. pressure transmitting member M differs from the pressure transmittingmember D, hereinbefore described, in that it is merely welded to thethimble and does not have a dovetail joint therewith. At the inner endthe thimble of the pressure transmitting member M is provided with anannular shoulder |32, which engages the retaining ring S and therebylimits outward movement of the pressure transmitting member M. The partsof the mechanism hereinbeiore described are substantially the same asthe corresponding parts of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 1 to 9inclusive. However, the abutment member N' differs from the abutmentmember E, hereinbefore described, in that the former is composed ofthree sections. 'I'hese sections are indicated form of a V-shaped platemember having a laterally, inwardly extending, flange |36 at the rearend thereof. The flanges ISB-ISG-ISB of said i sectional sleeve formabutment means for the outer coil of the spring resistance R. A s mostclearly shown in Figure 10, the sectional spring abutment sleeve N isheld against outward movement with` respect to the casing H by havingshouldered engagement with an annular shoulder |40 formed at the lefthand end of the casing H, as shown in Figure 10. vThe sections of thespring abutment sleeve N are annularly spaced apart, as shown in Figure11,'to provide sufhcient clearance therebetween to permit collapse ofthe sleeve so that the same may be inserted through the left hand end ofthe casing H. as shown in Figure 10.

In assembling the parts of thek mechanism shown in Figures and 11, theprocedure is thesame as that hereinbeore described in connection withFigures 1 to'9, inclusive, with the exception that the spring abutmentN, which comprises the sections |35-|25-|35, is assembled with thecasing byV successively placing the sections thereof in position andthen expanding the sleeve N to the position shown in Figure 10 where ithas shouldered engagement with the shoulder |40 of said casing.

The operation of the device shown in Figures 10 and 11 is substantiallythe same as the operation of the device hereinbefore described.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferredmanner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrativeand I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within thescope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

y l. In a shock absorbingmechanism of the char- I Y of the shell andbearing on the inner end of said sleeve; and additional spring meansopposing relative movement of said shoes and pressure transmittingmember and extending through said sleeve.

y2. In' .a shock absorbing mechanism of the character described, thecombination with a casing having interior friction surfaces at one endthereof; of friction shoes cooperating withl the friction surfaces ofsaid casing; a wedge at said end of the casing movable lengthwise of themechanism and normally projecting outwardly4 of the casing, said wedgehaving wedging engagement with said shoes; a movable pressuretransmitting member telescoped within the other 'end of the casing;spring means opposing rela- ,tive movement of said shoes and casing; a.re-

movable sleeve in said casing transmitting the pressure from said springmeans to the casing and holding said spring spaced from the last namedend of the casing; and spring means extending through said sleeve andopposing relative movement of said shoes and pressure transmittingmember.

3. In a shock absorbing mechanism of the character described, thecombination with a friction shell; of friction shoescooperating with thefriction shell; a wedge Vat one end of the -sheil having wedsingengagement with said shoes and being movable lengthwise of the mechanismand normally projecting outwardly of said end of the shell; means forlimiting outward movement Lof said wedge; a spacing sleeve within theshell at the other end thereof; a pressure transmitting member at saidlast named end of the shell v telescoped within said sleeve and movablelengthwise thereof detachable retaining means connected to the'shellhaving shouldered enllement with the pressure transmitting lmemberto limit outward movement of said member;

spring means opposing relative movement of said 5 shoes and shell andbearing on said sleeve; and additional spring means extending throughthe sleeve and bearing on said pressure -transmitting member andopposingrelative movement of the latter and said shoes.

4. In a shock absorbing mechanism of the character described, thecombination with a friction shell; of friction shoes cooperating withthe friction shell; a wedge at one end of the shell having wedgingengagement-with said shoes and l5 being movable lengthwise of the mandnormally projecting outwardly of said end of the shell; means forlimiting outward movement of said wedge; a spacing sleevetelescopedwithin the other end, of the shell: a pressure transmitting member atsaid last named end of the shell telescoped within said sleeve andmovable lengthwise of the shell; means fixed tosaid shell at said secondnamed end thereof for limiting outward movement of said sleeve andpressure transmitting member; spring `means bearing on the inner end ofsaid sleeve and opposing relative movement of' said shoes and sleeve;and additional spring means extending through the sleeve and opposingend'of the casing movable lengthwise of the mechanism and normallyprojecting outwardly of the casing, said wedge having wedging engagementwith said shoes; a movable pressure trans- 40 mitting member telescopedwithin the other end of the casing and normally projecting from said endof the casing; a'sectional collapsible spring abutment member withinsaid casing at said 'last named end thereof having the spring abutmentface thereof spaced inwardly from the corresponding end of said casing;spring means opposing relative movement of said shoes and springabutmentmeans;- and spring means extending through said spring abutment meansand opposing relative movement of said shoes and pressure transmittingmember.

6. In a shock abwrbing mechanism. of the character described, thecombination with a casing provided with an interior stop shoulderat oneend and a laterally inwardly directed retaining flange at the other end,said casing having interior friction surfaces adjacent to said flange;of Y friction shoes having sliding frictional engagement with saidfriction surfaces; a block 00 having wedging engagement with said shoes,said block having shouldered engagement with said flange for limitingoutward movement of the `wedge block, said wedge block also having astem projecting outwardly of the casing; a hollow stop sleeve within thecasing bearing on the shoulder of said shell and -being held againstoutward movement bysaid shoulder; a pressure transmitting thimbletelescoped within the end ofv the' casing having said shoulder, saidthimble having A a stop flange thereof outwardly of the casing relativemovementv of the pressure transmitting. memberandshoes;andaspringsurroundingsaid vfirstnamed swing and bearing at opposite'endsAand movablelengthwise thereof; removable spring abutment meanswithinthe shell at said iastnamedendthereohmeansonsaidlastnamed end of tbeshell. detachably connected thereto and havingshouldered engagementwith-said 20 springabutment and pressure transmitting member forlimiting outward movement thereof;

Aspring means Vopposingrelative movement of saidshoes and springabutment means; and additional spring means opposing relative movementof said 25 shoes' and pressure transmitting member.

8'. Inashockabsorbingmecbanismofthecharacter described, the combinationwithv a friction shell; of friction shoes .cooperating with the frictionshell; a wedge at one end ofthe shell having 30 wedging engagement withsaid shoes'and .being movable lengthwise ofthe meclnnism and normallyprojecting outwardly of said end of'the shell; means for -limitingoutward movement of said wedge; a pressure transmitting member at 35theother end of the'shell extending into the shell and movablelengthwise thereof removable spx-ing abutment means within said shell atsaid -last named end thereof; an adiustableretainingringscrewthreadedintosaidsecondnamedend 40 of the shell and abuttingsaid spring abutment meanstohold thesameagainstmovemeitout.wardiyofthesbelLsaidpressure memberextending throughsaid ring andhaving' shouldered engagement therewith to limit out- 45 ward movementof,l said member; spring means opposing relative movement of said shoesand spring abutment means; and additional spring means opposing relativemovement of saidv shoes and pressure transmitting member. 50

9. Inashochabsorbingmechanismofthecharacter described, the combinationwith a casing having interior friction surfaces at one end thereof; offriction shoes cooperating with the frictionsurfacesofsaidcasinmawedgeatsaidendofthe '55 casing movable lengthwiseof the mechanism and normally projecting outwardly of the casing, saidwedge having wedging engagement with said shoes; a removable,longitudinally split, spring abutment sleeve telescoped within saidcasing at so the other end thereof, said sleeve having a springabutmentfacespacedfromsaidlast namedendofthecasing;amovabieprsuretransmitting member telescoped withinsaldslee'veand normallyproiectingfromsaidendof'thecasinncs springmeansbearingonsaid abutmentfaceand opposing relative movement of said shoesand spring abutment sleeve;` and spring meansextendingthroughsaidspringabutmentmeansand opposing relative movement ofsaid shoes and 70 pressure transmitting member.

10.Ina shock mechanism ofthe character described, the combination with afriction shell; of friction shoes cooperating with thefrictionshelhawedgeatoneendoftheshell having wedging engagement withsaid shoes and being movable lengthwise of the mechanism and normallyprojecting outwardly of said end of the shell; means for limitingoutward movement of said wedge; a pressure transmitting member at theother end of the shell extending into the v shell and movable lengthwisethereof; a removable, sectional spring abutment sleeve telescoped withinsaid shell at said last named end thereof and enclosing the inner endportion of said pressure transmitting member, said sleeve having atransverse spring abutment wall at the inner end thereof, said wallhaving an opening therethrough; meansfor limiting outward movement ofsaid spring abutment sleeve; spring means bearing at one end on saidtransverse wall of said abutment sleeve opposing relative movement ofsaid shoes and sleeve; and additional spring means extending through theopening of said 20 sleeve and opposing relative movement of said shoesand pressure transmitting member.

11. In a shock absorbing mechanism of the character described, thecombination with a casing having interior friction surfaces at one endthereof; of friction shoes cooperating with the friction surfaces ofsaid casing; a wedge at said end of the casing movable lengthwise of themechanism and normally projecting outwardly of the Casing, said wedgehaving Wedging engagement with said shoes; a removable sectional springabutment sleeve seatedv within the other end of said casing and heldagainst outward movement with respect to the casing, said sleeve havinga spring abutment Wall at the inner end thereof; a movable pressuretransmitting member telescoped within said spring abutment sleeve andnormally projecting from saidlast named end of the casing; a springinterposed between and bearing on the shoes and said wall of the springabutment sleeve respectively; and a second spring enclosed within saidirst named spring, said second named spring extending through saidspring abutment sleeve and being interposed between and having itsopposite ends bearing respectively on said pressure transmitting memberand shoes.

' ARNOLD E. DENTLER.

